Our Top CBD Oils of 2021
Each product featured here has been independently selected by the writer. You can learn more about our review methodology here. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
- Best Overall - Cornbread Hemp
- Best CBD Oil for Sleep - Spruce
- Best CBD Oil for Stress - Charlotte's Web
- Strongest CBD Oil - CBDistillery
- Best Full Spectrum - R+R Medicinals
- Best Broad Spectrum - cbdMD
- Best All-Natural CBD Oil - NuLeaf Naturals
- Best THC-Free CBD Oil - Medterra
- Most Affordable CBD Oil - Naternal
- Best Variety - FAB CBD
What is CBD Oil?
CBD, or cannabidiol, is a compound that comes from the marijuana and hemp strains of cannabis. If you purchase CBD products that are crafted solely from the industrial hemp plant, then there will be less than 0.3 percent of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, in them. THC is a very well-known compound of the cannabis plant that causes people to feel a euphoric high when smoked or ingested.
While hemp is a part of the cannabis plant family, it contains less than 0.3 percent of THC. Marijuana is a variety of cannabis that has well over 0.3 percent of THC.
Unlike THC, CBD will not cause users to feel high in any way. Products that are crafted from the cannabis plant will contain both CBD and THC in them. However, all full spectrum CBD products that are sold within the United States must legally contain less than 0.3 percent THC. CBD carries its own therapeutic and medical benefits as it interacts with the endocannabinoid system of the body.
How We Chose the Best CBD Oils
To create our list of the best CBD oil online, we evaluated each brand and product on six specific categories.
- Type of CBD — Does the CBD oil contain full spectrum, broad spectrum, or CBD isolate extract?
- Strength — How many total milligrams of CBD does each dose of CBD oil contain?
- Source — Does the company use all-natural and organic hemp grown in the USA?
- Flavor — Does the oil come in multiple flavors? Is it flavored using natural ingredients?
- Transparency — Does the brand offer accessible third-party lab test results and information about their extraction process?
- Customer Experience — What do actual customers say about the product and the buying experience?
10 Best CBD Oils of 2021
Best Overall: Cornbread Hemp
cornbreadhemp.com
- CBD - Full Spectrum
- Strength - 25 mg CBD per serving
- Hemp source - Kentucky
- Flavor - None
Why buy: We love Cornbread Hemp's Distilled CBD oil for a lot of reasons. It's USDA certified organic, vegan, non-GMO, and made from Kentucky-grown hemp. They also use a unique flower-only full spectrum CBD extract, meaning they don't use any stems, leaves, or stalks, for a cleaner CBD oil with a brighter taste. This CBD oil is great for promoting a sense of calm throughout the day without drowsiness.
Best CBD Oil for Sleep: Spruce CBD
takespruce.com
Spruce- CBD - Full Spectrum
- Strength - 25 mg CBD per serving
- Hemp source - Kentucky and North Carolina
- Flavor - Peppermint
Why buy: We love this strong, full spectrum, lab-grade CBD oil from Spruce. It includes organic hemp seed oil and natural flavors, no artificial flavors, sweeteners, or preservatives, and is made from a consistent, quality supply of hemp extract grown on farms in North Carolina and Kentucky. We like that this product is organic, vegan, and gluten-free. Spruce also offers an Extra Strength option that contains 80 mg of CBD per 1 mL dropper.
Best CBD Oil for Stress: Charlotte's Web
charlottesweb.com
Original Formula CBD Oil- CBD - Full Spectrum
- Strength - 50 mg CBD per serving
- Hemp source - Colorado
- Flavors - Mint Chocolate, Olive Oil (natural)
Why buy: We like Charlotte's Web original formula CBD oil for help supporting calm for focus, the management of everyday stress, and healthy sleep cycles. All of their CBD oil is U.S. Hemp Authority Certified and is made using a small batch alcohol extraction method. At 50 mg of full spectrum CBD per serving, this is one of the more potent CBD oils on our list.
Strongest CBD Oil: CBDistillery
thecbdistillery.com
- CBD - Full Spectrum
- Strength - 83 mg CBD per serving
- Hemp source: Colorado
- Flavor: Natural
Why buy: We like CBDistillery because they offer both full spectrum and broad spectrum oils, as well as CBD isolate products. They also have affordable pricing for higher-strength oils, including their 2500 mg formula that offers 83 mg of CBD per serving. Their Colorado-grown CBD oil is U.S. Hemp Authority Certified, non-GMO, third-party lab tested, and comes with a 60-day money back guarantee.
Best Full Spectrum CBD Oil: R+R Medicinals
rrmeds.com
- CBD - Full Spectrum
- Strength - 33.33 mg CBD per serving
- Hemp source - Colorado
- Flavor - Fresh Mint
Best Broad Spectrum CBD Oils: cbdMD
cbdmd.com
- CBD - Broad Spectrum
- Strength - 25 mg CBD per serving
- Hemp source - USA
- Flavors - Natural, Berry, Orange, Mint
Why buy: cbdMD offers a wide variety of broad spectrum CBD options and flavors. They are all THC-free, third-party lab tested by ISO-certified labs, and GMP-certified. We like their quality CBD tinctures because they have a light taste in multiple flavors, and come in a number of different strengths that are a great starting place for people who want to try CBD for recovery after workouts or to help manage anxiety without THC.
Best All-Natural CBD Oil: NuLeaf Naturals
nuleafnaturals.com
NuLeaf Naturals CBD Oil- CBD - Full Spectrum
- Strength - 30 mg CBD per serving
- Hemp source - Colorado
- Flavor - Natural
Why buy: NuLeaf Naturals makes strong, concentrated CBD oils that all come in 30 mg CBD per mL. We like that this consistent concentration across bottle sizes makes dosing easier. Plus, these products are made using a Co2 extraction process that removes the CBD from 100% organic hemp plants. Each batch is third-party lab tested with easily-accessible test results through their website.
Best THC-Free CBD Oil: Medterra
medterracbd.com
- CBD - Broad Spectrum
- Strength - 16 mg CBD per serving
- Hemp source - Kentucky
- Flavor - Natural (unflavored)
Why buy: If you want to access the wellness potential of CBD but also want to completely avoid THC, Medterra is the best CBD oil online. These quality THC-free CBD oil products are great for employees who are regularly drug tested. We like that these CBD oils are THC-free, organic, non-GMO, U.S. Hemp Authority Certified, and use a clean Co2 extraction method. Medterra also offers a great online shopping experience with quick and easy service.
Most Affordable CBD Oil: Naternal
naternal.com
- CBD - Full Spectrum
- Strength - 40 mg CBD per serving
- Hemp source - North Carolina
- Flavor - Natural
Best Variety: FAB CBD
fabcbd.com
FAB CBD- CBD - Full Spectrum
- Strength - 10 mg CBD per serving
- Hemp Source: Colorado
- Flavors - Berry, Vanilla, Citrus, Mint, and Natural
Why buy: FAB CBD is great because they offer a large selection of oil strengths and flavors, including berry, vanilla, citrus, mint, and natural flavors in strengths of 300 mg, 600 mg, 1200 mg, and 2400 mg of CBD per bottle. This makes FAB CBD a great option for both experienced CBD users and those who are new to CBD. They also use a clean Co2 extraction method for all of their CBD oils. We like their full spectrum CBD oil for help with everyday stress and recovery from exercise.
The Research on CBD Oil
In 2014, the Agricultural Act, or Farm Bill, was passed that allowed the legalization of cultivation activities of hemp. Because of this, the hemp industry was able to explore many new and innovative ways of growing hemp.The House and the Senate then passed the 2018 Farm Act that removed hemp, which is defined as a cannabis plant that contains less than 0.3% THC, off of the Schedule 1 Controlled Substances list from Congress.
CBD that comes from marijuana plants is still subject to individual state laws. However, CBD products that are sourced from industrial hemp can be both purchased and consumed in all 50 states as long as the hemp has been cultivated according to the Farm Act.
CBD is potentially beneficial compound because it interacts with our body's endocannabinoid system. Everyone has an endocannabinoid system, or ECS. The body's endocannabinoid system is located in the brain, nervous system, organs, connective tissues, glands, immune cells, and other areas of the body. The two internal receptors, CB1 and CB2, that influence the brain and the immune system interact with endocannabinoids to help the body regain balance or homeostasis.
Potential Health Benefits of CBD Oil Backed by Research Studies
There are multiple studies that show CBD may be helpful in managing the following conditions:
- Pain
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Epilepsy
- Symptoms Related to Cancer
- Headaches
- Sleep Issues
- High Blood Pressure
In light of these findings, more people are seeking CBD as a natural, safe, and effective way to help them deal with painful and sometimes debilitating health conditions.
How CBD Oil Works
The ECS interacts with naturally occurring compounds in the body as well as with the compounds found within the cannabis plant, including CBD, to help relieve issues stemming from various health conditions. The endocannabinoid system has a very large impact on the brain, nervous system, and our emotional and psychological well-being. CBD is now used for a great many reasons and to help manage a number of health issues.
The Difference Between Full Spectrum, Broad Spectrum, and CBD Isolate
Full spectrum CBD contains all of the phytochemicals naturally found in the cannabis plant. This means that full spectrum CBD contains CBD, THC, trace cannabinoids, terpenes, and essential oils. By law, all full-spectrum products must contain less than 0.3% THC. We typically recommend full spectrum CBD oils as they can offer the biggest potential benefit through the entourage effect of all the included plant compounds and cannabinoids.
Broad spectrum CBD contains many of the same secondary cannabinoids as full spectrum extracts, but does not have any THC. The THC is completely removed after the initial extraction process. A good way to think about broad spectrum products is that they are somewhere in between full spectrum oils and CBD isolates.
Lastly, CBD isolates are exactly what the name implies. In CBD isolate products, CBD is separated away from all of the other compounds. When you purchase CBD isolate products, you are getting the purest form of CBD in the highest concentration per serving. People who choose to use CBD isolate benefit solely from the effects of CBD, or cannabidiol.
How to Choose the Right CBD Oil for You
CBD oils come in many different strengths and flavors. And while flavor is purely a matter of preference, strength is another story. Typically, if you are new to CBD, it's recommended for you to begin with the lowest potency first until you can gauge how your body will react to the oil. Here are some factors to consider when shopping for the best CBD oil.
What to Look For
Lab Testing - The most important thing to look for in CBD products is proof of independent third-party lab testing. This will ensure that the product is safe and contains the right amount of CBD.
Concentration - Make sure you know the amount of CBD in the oil and how much is each 1 mL serving. This is important so that you know exactly how much CBD you are taking each time.
Carrier Oil - CBD oils use carrier oils that allow you to ingest the hemp extract as a tincture. Common carrier oils include coconut oil, hemp seed oil, or olive oil. Check which one a brand uses in case you have any food allergies.
Hemp Source - The quality and purity of any CBD oil is directly related to the source of the hemp. We recommend brands that use industrial, non-GMO hemp grown organically in the U.S.A.
How to Read Labels
When you compare CBD oils, be sure to check the label for certain key pieces of information. The label should always include the following:
- Type of CBD - The brand should clearly indicate whether the CBD oil is full spectrum, broad spectrum, or CBD isolate.
- Strength - Always check to see how many milligrams of CBD the oil contains per 1 mL dropper. Many brands include a dosage guide on the label to help you measure the right amount.
- Certifications - It can be helpful to look for seals of approval or certification from industry groups like USDA organic, non-GMO, U.S. Hemp Authority, and more.
- Test Results - Again, always check for proof that the CBD oil has undergone independent lab testing. The best CBD brands will include a QR code on the label that links directly to the test results.
How to Use
CBD products come in many different options. There are oils, sprays, creams, gummies, capsules, vapes, and much more. Typically, sublingual options are the best. These will be oil tinctures or sprays. Begin by taking a small dose, around 5 mg of oil, once a day for a week. That dose will equal about a half a dropper full of oil. After a week has elapsed, check to see how you are feeling. If you feel that you are not getting the relief that you seek, then increase the dose to another half dropper full twice a day. This will now equal a total of 10 mg of CBD oil a day. Stay with this dose for another week before doing a check-in to gauge how you are feeling.
Repeat these steps until you achieve your desired results. Likewise, go slow with the different oil potencies until you find the strength that works best for your needs.
Depending on what you are using the CBD for, another option might be better for you. For example, if you have muscle aches and pains, then a topical cream will be your best option. If you have an active lifestyle and need to take your CBD on the go, then gummies will work the best for you. The choice is completely up to you.
Safety & Side Effects
Just like with any natural supplement or treatment method, there can be some mild side effects associated with CBD oil. Some of the more common side effects that people have reported include:
- Dry mouth
- Drowsiness
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Nausea
CBD can also negatively interact with prescription medications. A good way to check if it will potentially negatively mix with your current prescription is to go by the grapefruit warning rule. If you cannot eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice or other citruses while on your medication, then you should not mix CBD with it.
Grapefruit contains compounds called furanocoumarins that bind with specialized enzymes located within the gut. When these compounds bind with the enzymes, they lower the body's ability to break down and eliminate drugs from the system. Therefore, too much of the drug will be in the bloodstream which can lead to toxic levels over time.
CBD is very similar to grapefruit in that it also binds with those same enzymes and can therefore cause the very same issues. Once the enzyme is neutralized, it can take days for its function to return back to normal.
If you have any questions about CBD, or if you currently take any prescription medications, be sure to consult with your doctor before you add CBD to your wellness routine.
Takeaway
To find the best CBD oil online, it's important to do your research and to go with trustworthy and transparent brands. Use our guide to the best brands of CBD oil to find the right hemp extract option for your health and wellness needs.
Remember, if you still have questions regarding CBD then you might want to schedule a consultation appointment with your primary care physician or healthcare provider for further guidance.
Marc Lewis aims to help people access the scientific consensus on natural health topics in a simple and direct format. His perspective on CBD as a natural remedy has been featured in Business Insider, Forbes, MarketWatch, and Yahoo.
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Nick Halla, chief strategy officer of Impossible Foods, gave a presentation about his company's Impossible Burger as a sustainable solution to the problems of industrial meat production. He claimed their lab-created burger uses about 74 percent less water, generates about 87 percent fewer greenhouse gases and requires around 95 percent less land than conventional ground beef from cows. Halla said the Impossible Burger is seeing rapid acceptance in the marketplace, sold in many restaurants and "better burger" chains.
Doubts About Impossible Burger's Safety
But Halla's PowerPoint slides didn't mention that the Impossible Burger's key ingredient is a genetically engineered protein called soy leghemoglobin or "heme." The presentation also didn't mention that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration told Impossible Foods that the company hadn't demonstrated the safety of heme after it applied to the FDA seeking GRAS (generally recognized as safe) status. Despite FDA's concerns, Impossible Foods sold its GMO-derived burger for public consumption anyway.
FDA Questions Safety of Impossible Burger’s Key GMO Ingredient https://t.co/d5dtFDFBdh @TrueFoodNow @GMOTruth— EcoWatch (@EcoWatch)1503539705.0
Several audience members took Halla to task over Impossible Foods marketing its burger despite FDA concerns, short-term feeding studies, and lack of transparency about the use of the GMO ingredient.
Mark Squire, owner and manager of Good Earth Natural Foods, said he read the FDA documents about Impossible Foods application for GRAS status and was "shocked that a company could come out with a new food additive and not have it subjected to government and long-term scrutiny."
Pamm Larry, director of GMO-free California, asked Halla why his company had conducted such short, 14- and 28-day rat feeding studies of the product.
"Why did you do such short feeding studies when you know the minimum industry standard is 90 days?"
Ken Ross, board member of the ProTerra Foundation and a speaker at the conference, also said that the feeding studies are unacceptable.
"A 28-day feeding study is not impeccable science. You need a two-year feeding study," he said.
Lack of Transparency, Product Rushed to Market
Larry said she spoke to several restaurants that serve the Impossible Burger but didn't know it was GMO. She also asked if Impossible Foods labels their product as GMO. Halla said his company doesn't label the product as GMO but that information about the use of genetic engineering is on the company's website.
Nick Halla, chief strategy officer of Impossible Foods, faced some tough questions recently at the Sustainable Foods Summit.
Squire said Impossible Foods was not being transparent. "I don't think people selling burgers understand (Impossible Foods') technology. There is no transparency; there is a huge information gap. Halla said 'everything is on our website.' But if you go to their website, there is very little there."
Ross thought that Impossible Foods rushed the Impossible Burger to market due to pressure from investors.
"They call the shots and want to get the product commercialized and into the market and so they aren't doing a 2-year feeding study and doing superficial short studies instead."
Ross told Halla that—with its questionable feeding studies and lack of transparency—Impossible Foods is repeating the same deceptions that the biotech industry has done in the past.
"You're speaking to an audience that has already been down that road," he said.
Halla seemed surprised by the tough questions.
"He was clearly chastened by the reaction. I don't think he thought he was coming into a hostile environment," Ross said.
Amarjit Sahota, president and owner of Ecovia Intelligence, organizer of the Summit, acknowledged that Halla "received a lot of criticism after his seminar."
"We believe the feedback and criticism Impossible Foods received will make them think twice about making claims in the future and make them more transparent about their ingredients," Sahota said.
Editor's Note: I sent an email to Impossible Foods asking if Nick Halla could tell me his responses to the audience's questions during the summit. I wanted to get his perspective. My email was answered by Rachel Konrad, Impossible Foods chief communications officer, who did not attend the summit.
In response to my question about Halla's PowerPoint slides not mentioning Impossible Foods' use of genetic engineering, Konrad wrote: "Nick talked specifically about the use of engineered yeast during his presentation." Still, "genetic engineering" was not mentioned in any of his slides.
Regarding the short-term animal feeding study, Konrad wrote: "Our rat-feeding study was comprehensive and statistically valid; a panel of experts reviewed the study and unanimously agreed that soy leghemoglobin is safe."
When asked about how employees at the burger restaurants don't know that the Impossible Burger is genetically engineered, Konrad wrote that her company provides training sessions for chefs and kitchen staff: "In these sessions, we explain the ingredients—including how we produce heme through fermentation of a genetically modified yeast."
Mike Brabo and his wife Carol own Vesterbrook Farm in Clarksville, Missouri, about an hour north of St. Louis near the Mississippi River. The farm has been in Carol's family for nearly a century. The couple and their two children have worked the farm since 2008 after Mike survived thyroid cancer.
At that time Mike gained an appreciation for organic foods but found it difficult to afford them. "It's expensive to buy organic fruits and vegetables at Whole Foods," he said.
Mike and Carol decided to grow their own. It wasn't difficult to convert the farm to organic since no chemicals had been used on the land.
"There had been nothing grown on the farm but grass for 15 years," Mike said.
Mike Brabo and his wife Carol (center) and children Bethany (left) and Josh (right).Vesterbrook Farm
Sell Crops to 150-Member CSA
Over the years, the Brabos have grown their organic farm. A lot of vegetables can be grown on 24 acres, and the Brabos have planted more than 60 including lettuce, spinach, beets, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, peppers, squash and tomatoes, among others. Some vegetables are grown in four high tunnel greenhouses. They also planted an orchard with apple, peach, plum and cherry trees and fruit bushes such as raspberries. They also grow herbs such as sage, parsley and cilantro.
They sell the fruits of their labor to 150 members of their community supported agriculture (CSA) program. Ironically, some of the CSA members are employees of a large, well-known multi-national agribusiness company in St. Louis.
Mike says his customers appreciate getting fresh organic produce. "Some people have a tough time finding organic food. There are not a lot of organic farms in our area."
Vesterbrook Farm uses organic practices but is not certified through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Organic Program. Instead, Mike chose Certified Naturally Grown (CNG) as their certifier.
"Their standards meet or exceed the USDA's," he said. "CNG has a much greater emphasis on sustainability with planting areas that bring in wildlife and beneficial insects."
The Brabos have seen growing success with their organic farm and CSA with sales increasing 10 percent per year.
Herbicides Damaged Crops, Loss of $300,000
That is until this year. In June, a conventional farmer neighbor sprayed his soybean field with herbicides. Wind blew the herbicides over the Brabos' land.
This happened despite Mike having signs that say "Organic Farm, No Spray" signs and registering his farm with DriftWatch, a communication tool that enables farmers and pesticide applicators to work together to protect specialty crops using mapping programs.
The damage from the herbicide drift was total. "We found damage across our farm, which is 500 yards wide, including on the far north side of the property," Mike said.
Crops damaged included peppers, potatoes, tomatoes, basil; fruit trees were also damaged. "Everything on the farm, even ornamental trees, was damaged," Mike said.
The herbicides also killed half of the farm's bees, an estimated loss of $12,000. Mike estimates the total loss at $300,000.
Tests revealed that the herbicides responsible for the damage were glufosinate, clethodim and metolachlor.
Their Certified Naturally Grown certification was suspended, and the Brabos must essentially start over to remove the herbicide contamination from their farm. It will take three years at an estimated cost of $1.6 million to remediate the damage and regain CNG certification. According to Mike, they will have to plant cover crops and replenish the soil with beneficial bacteria and mycorrhizal fungi.
"Worst Case Scenario is We Lose the Farm"
Mike could grow vegetables and sell them as conventional but he refuses for fear that a customer would become sick because of the herbicide contamination.
"As a cancer survivor I'm not going to be complicit in putting something in the food supply that could make someone sick," he said.
For now, the Brabos are out of business for three years. "We aren't sure what we are going to do," Mike said. "The worst case scenario is we lose the family farm."
The Brabos are working with attorneys to reach a settlement with their neighbor's insurance company.
"We just want to be rightly compensated to grow healthy food for ourselves and repairing the soil and ecosystem so we can grow food for the St. Louis community," Mike said.
While the Brabos' farm wasn't damaged by dicamba, their ruined crops demonstrate the destruction it and other pesticides can cause to small family farms.
"This whole drift issue is so huge. How many farmers and vegetable growers have chemically drifted vegetables?" Mike said.
To help Vesterbrook Farm recover from its devastating losses, go to YouCaring.
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